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Biomedical subjects

Lauren B Gerson

Publications and source records attributed to Lauren B Gerson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Does cancer risk affect health-related quality of life in patients with Barrett's esophagus?

BACKGROUND: Health-related quality of life is decreased in patients with GERD and Barrett's esophagus (BE). OBJECTIVE: To determine whether time-tradeoff (TTO) values would differ in patients with BE when patients were asked to trade away the potential risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma rather than chronic heartburn symptoms. DESIGN: A prospective clinical trial. PATIENTS: Subjects with biopsy-proven BE. INTERVENTIONS: Custom-designed computer program to elicit health-state utility values, quality of life in reflux and dyspepsia (QOLRAD), and Medical Outcomes Survey short form-36 surveys. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: TTO utility values for the annual cancer-risk-associated current health state and for hypothetical scenarios of dysplasia and esophageal cancer. RESULTS: We studied 60 patients in the cancer-risk cohort (57 men, 92% veteran; mean age [standard deviation; SD], 65 years [11 years], mean GERD duration 17 years [12 years]). The heartburn cohort included 40 patients with GERD and BE with TTO values derived for GERD symptoms. The mean (SD) utility for nondysplastic BE was 0.91 (0.13) compared with 0.90 (0.12) for the heartburn cohort (P = .7). The mean utility values were significantly lower for scenarios of low-grade dysplasia (0.85 [0.12], P = .02) and high-grade dysplasia (0.77 [0.14], P < .005). The mean TTO was 0.67 (0.19) for the scenario of esophageal cancer. There was no correlation between the utility scores and the disease-specific survey scores. LIMITATIONS: TTO values were hypothetical for states of dysplasia and cancer. CONCLUSIONS: TTO utility values based on heartburn symptoms or annual risk of cancer in patients with nondysplastic BE are roughly equivalent. However, TTO utility values are significantly lower for health states with increasing cancer risks.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2006

Are lifestyle measures effective in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease? An evidence-based approach.

Lifestyle modifications are first-line therapy for patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). We applied an evidence-based approach to determine the efficacy of lifestyle measures for GERD management. We used PubMed and Ovid to perform a search of the literature published between 1975 and 2004 using the key words heartburn, GERD, smoking, alcohol, obesity, weight loss, caffeine or coffee, citrus, chocolate, spicy food, head of bed elevation, and late-evening meal. Each study was reviewed by 2 reviewers who assigned one of the following ratings: evidence A, randomized clinical trials; evidence B, cohort or case-control studies; evidence C, case reports or flawed clinical trials; evidence D, investigator experience; or evidence E, insufficient information. We screened 2039 studies and identified 100 that were relevant. Only 16 clinical trials examined the impact on GERD (by change in symptoms, esophageal pH variables, or lower esophageal sphincter pressure) of the lifestyle measure. Although there was physiologic evidence that exposure to tobacco, alcohol, chocolate, and high-fat meals decreases lower esophageal sphincter pressure, there was no published evidence of the efficacy of dietary measures. Neither tobacco nor alcohol cessation was associated with improvement in esophageal pH profiles or symptoms (evidence B). Head of bed elevation and left lateral decubitus position improved the overall time that the esophageal pH was less than 4.0 (evidence B). Weight loss improved pH profiles and symptoms (evidence B). Weight loss and head of bed elevation are effective lifestyle interventions for GERD. There is no evidence supporting an improvement in GERD measures after cessation of tobacco, alcohol, or other dietary interventions.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed2006

Evidence-based assessment of endoscopic simulators for training.

This article focuses on some important key questions: Can the currently available simulators distinguish between the skill levels of a novice who has never performed endoscopic procedures and an expert who teaches the procedure? Do the cases on the simulator accurately simulate the difficulty of the procedure and the skill required to perform therapeutic maneuvers? What is the evidence that the currently available simulators can supplement or even replace bedside training? When are simulators most useful in the learning period? This article examines the published evidence regarding the efficacy of the current generation of endoscopic simulators in endoscopic training.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Potential relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease and atrial arrhythmias.

A potential reduction in symptoms related to atrial fibrillation after treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms with proton pump inhibitor therapy has been previously described. However, illustration of this relationship by combined 24-hour pH and ambulatory Holter monitoring has not been performed. We report 3 patients with symptoms of both palpitations and reflux who underwent simultaneous Holter and 24-hour ambulatory pH monitoring off of antireflux therapy. All of the patients reported a reduction in arrhythmia symptoms on proton pump inhibitor therapy. The findings from this preliminary series suggest a potential relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease and atrial arrhythmias that might improve with antireflux therapy. Patients with documentation of both atrial arrhythmias and reflux should have a trial of aggressive acid suppressive therapy To further confirm this relationship, larger prospective studies are needed to assess whether maximal acid suppression improves arrhythmias.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Risk of proximal colon neoplasia with distal hyperplastic polyps: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Most guidelines for colorectal cancer screening do not consider distal hyperplastic polyps (HPs) to be markers for proximal colon neoplasia. However, many studies have shown an increased risk of proximal neoplasia (PN) in patients with distal HPs. We performed a systematic review to assess the association between distal HPs and PN. METHODS: We identified studies that compared the prevalence of PN and proximal advanced neoplasia in patients with distal HPs vs controls. Two masked investigators extracted data on individuals with distal HPs, distal adenomas, or no distal polyps. Using the DerSimonian and Laird method, we calculated summary risk ratios. Extensive subgroup analysis was performed. RESULTS: The prevalence of PN and proximal advanced neoplasia in persons with distal HPs was 26.0% and 4.4%, respectively. In studies comparing the risk of PN in patients with distal HPs vs those with no distal polyps, the summary risk ratio was 1.81 (95% confidence interval, 1.20-2.73). However, this increased risk disappeared if only high-quality studies on screening patients were considered. The risk ratio was 0.69 (95% confidence interval, 0.60-0.80) when comparing the risk of PN in those with distal HPs vs those with distal adenomas. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, patients with distal HPs have an intermediate risk of PN compared with those with distal adenomas or no distal polyps; however, in asymptomatic screening individuals, there is no increased risk of PN or proximal advanced neoplasia. The discovery of HPs on screening flexible sigmoidoscopy should not automatically prompt follow-up colonoscopy.

Adenoma↗
PubMed2005

Patient-derived health state utilities for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a chronic disease that adversely affects health-related quality of life. The purpose of this study was to derive health state utilities for patients with chronic heartburn symptoms. METHODS: We used a custom-designed computer program in order to elicit utilities with the time-tradeoff and standard-gamble techniques. Patients with chronic (more than 6 months) symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease entered the study. Two interviews were performed in random sequence either initially on medications for heartburn that adequately controlled symptoms, or off of medications for 1 wk while the patient was symptomatic. We also collected data using visual-analog scales, quality of life in reflux and dyspepsia (QOLRAD), and Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) scores. RESULTS: We invited 222 patients to participate; 158 (71%) patients (129 men, 29 women) completed the study. Barrett's esophagus was present in 40 (25%), erosive disease in 17 (11%), and 118 (74%) had comorbid conditions. The mean (+/-SD) utility ratings were 0.94 +/- 0.09 on medical therapy and 0.90 +/- 0.12 off medications for patients with reflux alone using time tradeoff (p= 0.004), and 0.94 +/- 8.0 both on and off of antireflux medications with standard-gamble assessment (p= 0.96). Mean time-tradeoff scores were also significantly lower off of medications for patients with other comorbid conditions (p= 0.002). There was no significant difference between mean utility scores for patients with or without Barrett's esophagus or erosive disease. CONCLUSION: Gastroesophageal reflux disease adversely affects health-related quality of life. Time-tradeoff utility for patients with reflux disease is substantially higher when patients are on medication than off medications.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

The management of anticoagulants in the periendoscopic period for patients with atrial fibrillation: a decision analysis.

PURPOSE: The management of patients who undergo endoscopy while being treated with warfarin is challenging. We used decision analysis to determine the preferred strategy to manage anticoagulants in the periendoscopic period. METHODS: We designed a Markov model to estimate costs and quality-adjusted survival during a 10-year period in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation undergoing screening colonoscopy. We compared six alternatives to the continue-warfarin strategy, which was to perform colonoscopy while the patient was taking full-dose warfarin. The hold-warfarin strategy was to stop warfarin 5 days before the colonoscopy. The repeat endoscopy strategy was to continue warfarin for a diagnostic colonoscopy, followed by a repeat procedure after cessation of warfarin if polypectomy was required. The dose-reduction strategy was to reduce the warfarin dose before colonoscopy. The low molecular weight heparin strategy was to administer subcutaneous low molecular weight heparin for 2 days before and 2 days after colonoscopy. The unfractionated heparin strategy was to administer intravenous unfractionated heparin for 2 days before and 2 days after the procedure. The vitamin K strategy was to hold warfarin for 4 days and to administer vitamin K if the international normalized ratio (INR) exceeded 2.0 the day before the procedure, or low molecular weight heparin if the INR was less than 1.5. RESULTS: For screening colonoscopy, assuming that polyps would be removed in 35% of examinations, the hold-warfarin and dose-reduction arms were both cost-effective strategies. The hold-warfarin arm was most cost-effective if the likelihood of polypectomy exceeded 60%, or if there was a low risk of stroke despite atrial fibrillation. The continue-warfarin strategy was preferred if the probability of polypectomy was 1% or less. CONCLUSION: Temporary warfarin cessation or halving the warfarin dose for several days before endoscopy was the preferred strategy for most patients. Periendoscopic heparin therapy was not cost-effective for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Cost-effectiveness model of endoscopic screening and surveillance in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Endoscopic screening and periodic surveillance for patients with Barrett's esophagus has been shown to be cost-effective in patients with esophageal dysplasia, with treatment for esophageal cancer limited to esophagectomy. Most gastroenterologists refer patients with high-grade dysplasia for esophagectomy, and effective endoscopic therapies are available for nonoperative patients with esophageal cancer. The cost-effectiveness of screening strategies that incorporate these nonsurgical treatment modalities has not been determined. METHODS: We designed a Markov model to compare lifetime costs and life expectancy for a cohort of 50-year-old men with chronic reflux symptoms. We compared 10 clinical strategies incorporating combinations of screening and surveillance protocols (no screening, screening with periodic surveillance for both dysplastic and nondysplastic Barrett's esophagus, or periodic surveillance for dysplasia only), treatment for high-grade dysplasia (esophagectomy or intensive surveillance), and treatment for cancer (esophagectomy or surgical and endoscopic treatment options). RESULTS: Screening and surveillance of patients with both dysplastic and nondysplastic Barrett's esophagus followed by esophagectomy for surgical candidates with high-grade dysplasia or esophageal cancer and endoscopic therapy for cancer patients who were not operative candidates cost $12,140 per life-year gained compared to no screening. Other screening strategies, including strategies that had no endoscopic treatment options, were either less effective at the same cost, or equally effective at a higher cost. CONCLUSIONS: The cost-effectiveness of screening and subsequent surveillance of patients with dysplastic as well as nondysplastic Barrett's esophagus followed by endoscopic or surgical therapy in patients who develop cancer compares favorably to many widely accepted screening strategies for cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2004

Wireless capsule endoscopy and double-balloon enteroscopy for the diagnosis of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.

Standard endoscopic examination (upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and colonoscopy) fails to detect the cause of gastrointestinal hemorrhage in approximately 5% of patients. Before the availability of wireless capsule endoscopy and double-balloon enteroscopy, imaging modalities for the small intestine distal to the ligament of Treitz included barium contrast examination and/or enteroclysis, push, passive, or intraoperative enteroscopy, technetium 99m labeled sulfur colloid scanning, angiography, and computed tomography, although the diagnostic yield of all of these imaging modalities was low. In 2001, wireless capsule endoscopy became available for the evaluation of patients with probable small intestinal hemorrhage. Advantages of wireless capsule endoscopy include that the procedure is noninvasive, requires no sedation, and does not expose the patient to ionizing radiation. In patients with obscure gastrointestinal hemorrhage, studies have demonstrated an additional 25 to 50% diagnostic yield using wireless capsule endoscopy when compared to other diagnostic modalities. The major limitations of capsule endoscopy were its inability to obtain a biopsy, precisely localize a lesion, or perform therapeutic endoscopy. In 2001, the double-balloon enteroscope was introduced. This new endoscopic technique provides the gastroenterologist with an opportunity for further evaluation and treatment of abnormalities detected on wireless capsule endoscopy or other small intestinal imaging studies.

Capsules↗
PubMed2004

Features of gastroesophageal reflux disease in women.

OBJECTIVES: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is as common in women as in men, and may present with various symptoms, such as heartburn, regurgitation, dysphagia, or chest pain. In this study, we evaluated the patterns of symptomatic GERD and the spectrum of disease activity in women and compared them to a cohort of disease- and age-matched men. METHODS: We studied 543 adults, both men and women, referred for evaluation because of symptoms or signs suggestive of GERD. All patients were assessed immediately before testing using a standardized symptom questionnaire. Endoscopic, ambulatory pH, and motility findings were categorized and graded according to their extent and severity. The prevalence, nature, and severity of esophageal symptoms and their relationship to endoscopic disease severity were then analyzed. Comparisons were made between the two groups, i.e., 341 men (mean age 54, age range 25-90) and 202 women (mean age 50, age range 22-80). RESULTS: Heartburn without esophagitis was noted in 38% of men and 55% of women patients. Hiatal hernia was noted in 28% of men and in 26% of women. There were no differences in the magnitude of esophageal acid exposure by pH criteria and motility abnormalities between the two groups. The prevalence of endoscopic stages of GERD (0-IV, Savary-Miller classification) was similar between the two groups (p > 0.1, chi2 test) but women were less likely to harbor Barrett's esophagus (p < 0.05, chi2 test). Quantitative esophageal symptom analysis revealed significantly higher symptom severity scores for heartburn (p < 0.01), regurgitation (p < 0.05), belching (p < 0.01), and nocturnal (p < 0.01) symptoms in women as compared to men. Women also experienced higher symptoms scores of lower abdominal symptoms, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Among symptomatic adults undergoing evaluation for GERD, women appear to have generally similar patterns of endoscopic severity of GERD as men but they are less likely to harbor Barrett's esophagus. The severity of symptoms in women is significantly more than in men and may contribute to earlier disease recognition and different disease management.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed2004

Complete elimination of reflux symptoms does not guarantee normalization of intraesophageal and intragastric pH in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

BACKGROUND: Acid plays a significant role in the development of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms, such as heartburn and regurgitation. It is generally assumed that acid suppressive therapy improves or eliminates symptoms by normalizing intraesophageal pH. AIMS: The aim of this article was to assess the efficacy of proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) in normalizing intraesophageal and intragastric pH in patients with GERD without Barrett's esophagus (BE) rendered symptom free by therapy. METHODS: Patients were evaluated by dual-sensor 24-h pH monitoring while receiving PPI therapy for complete control of GERD symptoms. Analyses of intraesophageal and intragastric pH profiles were then made. RESULTS: Fifty patients, 39 men and 11 women, with GERD, without BE, were studied. All tolerated PPIs well and were asymptomatic at the time of the study. Fifty percent of patients had abnormal intraesophageal pH profiles despite adequate symptom control on PPIs, which was associated with significant breakthrough of intraesophageal acid control in both the upright and supine positions. Low intragastric pH correlated highly with intraesophageal acid reflux only in patients with persistent abnormal esophageal acid exposure (p= 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Fifty percent of patients with GERD without BE continue to exhibit pathologic GERD and low intragastric pH despite PPI therapy that achieves complete reflux symptom control.

Cohort Studies↗